Today with Sean O'Rourke

Planning Framework

A special Cabinet meeting takes place today to discuss the new National Planning Framework which intends to inform all planning, infrastructure and spatial strategies over the next 25 years.

Opposition politicians have been highly critical of the draft version of the framework accusing it of leaving rural Ireland behind.

Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring, Fianna Fail TD for Galway West Eamon O’Cuiv and Dr Chris Van Egeraat, Senior Lecturer in Economic Geography at Maynooth University discussed the plan with Sean O'Rourke this morning.

Cutting Eye Care Waiting Lists

Waiting lists of eye care out patients went up by 21% last year. Some people took matters into their own hands and traveled to Northern Ireland to avail of cataract operations. But optometrists here say they have a plan that will cut the waiting lists significantly.

Lynda McGivney Nolan, of the Association of Optometrists Ireland joined Sean O'Rourke in studio this morning to discuss it.

Parenting

Sinn Féin Internal Rows

Mary Lou McDonald is set to replace Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams next Saturday but the weekend just gone gave us yet another story of internal dispute and censure in Sinn Féin, and the curious case of the bolt cutters. Daniel McConnell, political editor of the Examiner joined Sean O'Rourke on the line to discuss these issues facing the party.

Saturday Bloody Saturday

Political fans will know Alastair Campbell as the former New Labour Spin Doctor, now a writer, consultant and mental health campaigner.

Football fans meanwhile will also know Paul Fletcher as a former star player, and later CEO, of Burnley Football Club.

They’re long-time friends and have just written a book together; Saturday Bloody Saturday about football, politics and terrorism in Britain in the 1970s spoke to the programme on the line this morning.

Drogheda Courthouse

Weekend Sport

Lindsay Peat, Irish rugby international, and former Dublin footballer, and Damian Lawlor, presenter of the RTÉ GAA podcast joined Sean O'Rourke in studio to take a look back at all of the sporting action from the weekend.

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